South Sound Habitat for Humanity goes solar for housing project in Yelm

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (SPSHH) has partnered with a solar power company to power its housing projects.

According to a press release, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) awarded SPSHH with a $68,808 Green Power Solar Grant (GPSG) earlier this year to install a 20.72-killowatt solar array, 20,720 kilowatts annually, providing for 99% of the SPSHH’s housing.

SPHH and PSE will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new solar array at SPSHH’s Yelm facility, which the PSE states will help benefit lives across the region Habitat has served through building homes since 1989. The ribbon-cutting event is on October 24, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

“PSE is excited to see these solar panels offsetting some of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s operating costs,” said Aaron August, PSE’s senior vice president and chief customer and transformation officer. “This will allow them to focus on providing access to safe and affordable housing in the community.”

According to PSE, it has awarded Thurston County organizations $581,641 in Green Power Solar Grants, which fund the installation of new solar arrays, lowering operating costs, reducing carbon footprints, and providing clean energy for our state.

PSE reported that it has given nine other organizations a total of $753,620 this year, 80,000 PSE customers choosing to participate in its Green Power and Solar Choice programs, generating more than 736,000 MWh annually, enough to power nearly 70,000 homes annually.